Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is urging the Canadian government to support today’s breakthrough advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and help bring an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. In a groundbreaking decision, the ICJ concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) is illegal and must end as rapidly as possible. CJPME urges Canada to issue sanctions on Israeli leaders in response to its illegal practices, and to support any further efforts by the United Nations to force Israel’s compliance with international law.
“Today’s ruling by the ICJ is an unequivocal declaration that Israel’s continued presence as an occupying power in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem is illegal, that it must end, and that Israel owes reparations to the Palestinian people,” said Michael Bueckert, Vice President of CJPME. “Regrettably, Canada has previously attempted to discourage the ICJ from providing an opinion on this matter, showing how it favours Israel with a double standard when it comes to the application of international law. Following today’s ruling, we hope to see Canada finally give its full support for the ICJ and help bring a rapid end to Israel’s illegal occupation,” added Bueckert.
The ICJ concluded in its advisory opinion that Israel’s prolonged occupation, settlement expansion, annexation of territory, and apartheid policies have made its continued presence in the OPT illegal (including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza), and asserted that Israel is obliged to bring an end to the occupation as rapidly as possible. The ICJ determined that many of Israel’s actions “amount to the annexation of large parts of the occupied territory” in breach of the prohibition on acquiring territory by force, and amounting to the prolonged deprivation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The ICJ concluded that Israel is obliged to provide full reparation, restitution, and compensation, including the return of all land and the evacuation of all settlements. The ICJ said that all states, including Canada, are under obligation to cooperate with the UN in bringing an end to the occupation, and are not to render any aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the OPT. (more...)
Canada Must Support ICJ Decision on Israel’s Illegal Occupation
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